On January 19, Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, emphasized the country's role as a bridge between economic Europe and Asia, with China playing a crucial role in fulfilling this function. He highlighted that Georgia is the only country in the region with a free trade agreement with both the European Union and China, positioning itself as an economic bridge.

Papuashvili addressed concerns about the anti-European sentiments emerging in connection with Christmas celebrations, particularly contrasting the dates of December 25 and January 7. He criticized the opposition and NGOs for fueling anti-European sentiments and accused them of questioning the Orthodox faith's association with Russia.

Moreover, the Speaker expressed discontent with the actions of SovLab and its project manager, Giorgi Kandelaki, who drew attention to an icon in Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral bearing Stalin's image. Papuashvili framed the incident as an attack on the Church and criticized the involvement of civil society organizations in what he perceived as an anti-European narrative.

Additionally, Papuashvili revived earlier claims about USAID's involvement in scandals related to the programs it funds, calling for clarity from USAID's leadership. He argued that the NGO sector in Georgia is dominated by politicians conducting propaganda with foreign funding.

In a separate context, Papuashvili addressed the issue of Mikheil Saakashvili, suggesting that the focus should shift from him and urging efforts to make him serve his sentence. He accused powerful groups inside and outside the country of protecting Saakashvili, alleging their influence in foreign media, lobbying, and even resolutions adopted by the European Parliament. Papuashvili expressed concern about Saakashvili being smuggled into Georgia and emphasized the need for the Georgian people to understand the nature of the forces supporting him.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili demanded an apology from Ukrainian and Moldovan Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Maia Sandu for lying about the torture of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in detention. "We have learned from the European Committee's conclusion that President Zelenskyy, President Sandu, and MEPs lied when they accused Georgia of torturing Saakashvili. Many Western politicians have disgraced themselves in front of Georgia and the Georgian people. Therefore, we expect these people to apologize," Papuashvili added.

Moreover, Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the Georgian Dream party, commented on Mikheil Saakashvili's condition, stating that Saakashvili is in a privileged position compared to other prisoners. Kobakhidze argued that Saakashvili, as the creator of a system directly linked to the torture of people in prisons, should ideally be in prison. However, he acknowledged that various factors led relevant agencies to keep Saakashvili in a privileged position, describing it as a form of positive discrimination.

Kobakhidze emphasized that Saakashvili's placement in a two-room ward in a clinic instead of a prison signifies the progress Georgia has made in terms of democracy and human rights. He suggested that discussions surrounding Saakashvili's situation should consider the broader context of the country's advancements in these areas.